MINNEAPOLIS — Rookie Teddy Bridgewater is back in Minnesota, and he isn't discussing his expectations for competing with Matt Cassel to be the Vikings' starting quarterback.

"That's something I don't feel comfortable talking about," Bridgewater said Monday. "I'm just looking forward to training camp. Can't wait to get to Mankato, put the pads on and just continue doing what we've got to do: play football."

Cassel, a 10th-year veteran with 68 NFL starts, is the heavy favorite to start entering camp after re-signing on a two-year, $10.5 million contract in March. But Bridgewater, the final first-round pick (32nd overall) of May's draft, got some first-team reps during offseason practices and acquitted himself well.

Bridgewater — who started at Louisville as a true freshman — said he has spent most of the past month in Miami, studying the playbook for two hours each morning and throwing several times a week under the watch of former NFL quarterback Ken Mastrole.

The Vikings report to camp Thursday, but Bridgewater arrived early to work with teammate Kyle Rudolph, among others, at Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald's annual workouts at the University of Minnesota. Bridgewater said he'll spend some time at the Vikings' facility, too.

Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer has said he won't name a starting quarterback early in camp, preferring Cassel, Bridgewater and former first-round pick Christian Ponder all receive a fair shot.

"I haven't been paying attention to that," Bridgewater said of the division of reps.

"I've just been trying to learn the playbook more and familiarize myself with the playbook and just continue to get better each day."